Aerial view of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company facilities in Portland, Oregon. President Fred C. Shanaman reported that with the addition of the new facilities for manufacture of chlorine, caustic soda and technical DDT, production at the Portland plant increased substantially in 1947; photo ordered by John Baker, Superintendent of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington, Tacoma plant.

Chemical industry--Oregon--Portland; Chemicals; Industrial facilities--Oregon--Portland; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Waterfronts; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. (Portland, Or.);

Progress photograph, new building at Stauffer Chemical Company. Stauffer Chemical Company was just getting into production on the tideflats, manufacturing superphosphate fertilizer. The new plant would serve a market area of 200 miles with approximately 30,000 tons of its product a year. The Barthel Chemical Construction Company had installed lined acid tanks for Stauffer Chemical at this time. The plant was built on a 40 acre tract on the tideflats at the location of the old Rainier Steel facility. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.A-7; 9/13/1949, clipping)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Barthel Chemical Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Barthel Chemical Construction Company was the first rubber vulcanizing plant in the Pacific Northwest. The plant was constructed on the Port of Tacoma "Quadrangle" in 1950. The firm covered equipment of all types and description in the west. The vulcanizing plant was the largest north of Los Angeles. Workmen are seen here working on storage tanks. Ordered by Barthel Chemical Construction Company, Mr. Barthel. (Clippings, 11/13/1953)

Barthel Chemical Construction Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Several of Stauffer's leaders pose for a group portrait during the opening festivities of the company's new Tacoma fertilizer plant. The company manufactured agricultural chemicals including soil sterilants, insecticides, soil conditioners, and NPP fertilizer combinations based on superphosphate. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Three men are enjoying a reception that was part of the opening of the new Tacoma fertilizer plant. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Receptions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. Two men are admiring the quality of the superphosphate manufactured at Stauffer Chemical. Superphosphate is a soluble mixture of phosphates used as fertilizer and is made from insoluble mineral phosphates by treatment with sulfuric acid.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fertilizers--Tacoma;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. Tacoma Feed Company have backed their Diamond T delivery truck up to the loading dock to receive a load of superphosphate.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks; Tacoma Feed Co. (Tacoma);

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Dignitaries attending the opening ceremonies were given lab coats to keep clean while thery toured the chemical facilities. Tacoma was a phosphate fertilizer plant. Stauffer Chemical had two other phosphate fertilizer plants in Richmond and Vernon, California. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. Visiting dignitaries attending the opening of Stauffer Chemical's Tacoma plant are greeted by a young woman. A large bouquet stands beside the guest book on the wooden table.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. A workman is dwarfed by the huge piles of raw materials and a crane for moving the materials. The Tacoma plant made superphosphate using phosphate rock from its Leef, Wyoming, location and sulphuric acid from the Tacoma Smelter. The plant was capable of turning out 250 tons of fertilizer daily. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. (TNT, 5/9/1950, clipping)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company in Tacoma. A workman standing on a pile of phosphate rock directs another workman in moving the overhead crane. Various fertilizers made at the Tacoma branch were stored for curing and moved by the large clamshell to the milling units during shipping seasons. Both bulk and bagged material moved out during spring and fall seasons to farmers and mixers throughout the state of Washington and Oregon via truck and rail. Stauffer Chemical manufactured Captan fungicide, Vapam soil sterilant, herbicide and insecticide formulations, aluminum sulphate, titanium tetrachloride and pelleted mixed fertilizers. As of 1956 they had plants in 44 locations. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. (TNT, 5/16/1955, clipping)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Dignitaries attending the opening of the Tacoma plant were given an opportunity to view the bag filling operations. Once a bag was filled at an upper level it was sewn shut and delivered to workers via a conveyor system. Bags were stacked on pallets and several bags are seen stacked against the far wall. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Conveying systems--Tacoma;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. The exterior of the loading dock can be seen where a truck from the Tacoma Feed Company has backed in for loading. Dignitaries are being given a tour of the facilities. A railroad car sits next to the building and railroad tracks are seen crossing the yard. Materials could be delivered to and from the plant easliy. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Several men are visiting one of the labs at the new Tacoma plant. Quality control was maintained with frequent tests. Research and development of the company's products was mainly carried out at their Los Altos, California, and Chauncey, New York, research centers. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma;

Stauffer Chemical Co. opened a half million dollar plant in the spring of 1950 for the production of super phosphate fertilizer. The big chemical plant, erected on 14 acres of a 40 acre tract on the Tideflats, utilized phosphate rock from Wyoming and sulphuric acid from the newly constructed American Smelting and Refining acid plant to create super phosphate commercial fertilizer for a Pacific Northwest market area of 200 miles. The plant included a tank farm, mixing building, bulk storage facilities, finished product warehouses and office building. Phosphate storage towers and rail delivery system shown to the left of this picture. The original plant employed 20-30 and was capable of turning out 250 tons of fertilizer daily. The plant was expanded in 1955 to produce liquid aluminum sulphate.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fertilizer industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Philadelphia Quartz Company, established in 1942, was the only sodium silicate plant in the Tacoma area. Belgian silica sand and California soda ash were chemically combined to obtain the product sold largely in Tacoma but marketed also in other Northwest cities. Silicate of soda, water-glass to farm households, was used in adhesives for the plywood industry and corrugated paper-board for the container industry. Televisions of the time required potassium silicates to produce the phosphor screen in the picture tubes. Philadelphia Quartz was headquartered in Berkeley, California. (TNT, 2/17/1948, p.6-A; 5/17/1954; 5/16/1955)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Minerals; Philadelphia Quartz Co. of California (Tacoma);

Two ships are docked at Hooker Electrochemical. A freighter with on-deck tanks has rails on either side of the ship. The rails on deck accommodated chlorine tank cars and caustic soda tank cars. Another freighter is seen on the left with the name "Mogul". In the distance, between the two ships, is a bridge over the Hylebos Waterway. Hooker Electrochemical Company held their first Board of Directors meeting in Tacoma in October 1950. The company's main offices were in Niagara Falls, New York. They had plants there and in Wilmington, California and Tacoma. (TNT, 11/2/1950, p.B-10)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Cargo ships--Tacoma;

A freighter with two tanks on deck is docked at Hooker Electrochemical loading dock on the Hylebos Waterway. Many large storage tanks are seen at the chemical producing facility. Hooker fine and heavy chemicals included: acid chlorides, bleaching powder, metallic chlorides, muriatic acid, naphthalene derivatives, sulfide derivatives, toluene derivatives, hydrogenated products, fatty acid esters, chlorine liquids, chlorinating agents, chlorinated paraffins, caustic soda, aliphatic chlorides, benzene derivatives and benzoates.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

A close-up of insulated caustic evaporation tanks and piping at Hooker Chemical. The Tacoma plant was expanded in 1950 and was fully operational by Januray 1951. The increase in production helped the company meet enlarged requirements of its current customers and to supply several important new consumers with caustic soda and liquid chlorine. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

The engineer leans out of a railroad engine that is pulling a Hooker Electrochemical tank car. TPL-6606

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hundreds of electrolytic cells, in row after row, work 24 hours a day at Hooker Electrochemical producing the basic ingredients of all Hooker Chemicals. In each of the Hooker cells, under the action of direct electric current, salt and water are broken down into a constant flow of caustic soda, chlorine, and hydrogen. Many other large producers of chlorine were licensed to use the Hooker cels in their own plants. Thus Hooker Cells, continually improved in design and efficiency, accounted for nearly half of all the chlorine produced in the United States. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Directors' Meeting, Hooker Chemical Company. Attendees of the Hooker Chemical Company's directors meeting stand on a whart in front of a moored boat. This may be the company dock on the Hylebos Waterway. Plant manager John D. Rue has been identified as the third man from the left in back row. Plant superintendent A.J. Rosengarth is the fifth from left, back row.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rue, John D.; Rosengarth, A.J.;

Directors' Meeting at Hooker Chemical Company on Halloween, 1950. Group of men including Tacoma executive staff standing on railroad tracks next to Hooker, Tacoma, tank car. This is probably at the Hooker Co. plant at 605 Alexander Ave. Not only did the company have a dock on the Hylebos Waterway but they also had a railroad spur running through the facility to make transport of Hooker chemicals easier and more efficient. Plant manager John D. Rue is extreme left in front row, sales manager Albert Hooker, Jr., is fifth from left in front and plant superintendent A.J. Rosengarth is on the extreme right, front row. This photograph appears in the book "Salt & Water, Power & People," a short history of the Hooker Electrochemical Co., and names of the individuals are listed within. (Thomas: Salt & Water, Power & People, p. 94) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rue, John D.; Hooker, Albert H.; Rosengarth, A.J.;

Tank cars are being loaded at the Hooker Electrochemical Company's main gate on Alexander Avenue on the Tideflats. Hooker began operations in Tacoma in 1929 and the plant underwent several large expansions before being sold to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in 1997. Along with the Pennsylvania Salt Company, Hooker Electrochemical was a large producer of chlorine and caustic soda, supplying the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. Low cost electricity, abundant water supply, and easily accessible transportation attracted several chemical plants to the area, and later drew companies making use of by-products from the original plants or new products developed for established firms. TPL-8685

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On August 25, 1951, the open front gates of the Hooker Electrochemical Company framed the flagpole in front of the company's administrative buildings. The ornate gates were attached to brick pillars and the company name was clearly listed in wrought iron on top. Hooker had its plant on the Tacoma tideflats at 605 Alexander Avenue. Established in Tacoma in 1929, it underwent several expansions before it was sold in 1997 to Pioneer Companies, Inc. Hooker Electrochemical was one of the area's largest chemical companies. TPL-4445

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gates--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma;

Expansion continues at the Hooker Electrochemical Company's Tideflats plant in August, 1951. Steel reinforcing and footing for a new building are being installed. Hooker began operations in Tacoma in 1929 and constantly remodeled and expanded in order to handle their growing business. Along with Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington, Hooker supplied the Pacific Northwest pulp and paper industry with caustic soda and chlorine. Hooker tank cars can be seen in the photograph's background; they were one method of shipping Hooker products to their customers.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Angled view from across the street of Hooker Electrochemical's industrial facilities taken on August 24, 1951. Located in the Tideflats on Alexander Avenue, the Hooker plant underwent several large expansions throughout the years before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in the late 1990's. Hooker opened its plant in Tacoma in 1929, about the same time as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, and both provided the Pacific Northwest paper and pulp industry with the chlorine and caustic soda necessary for the industry's operations. Relatively cheap and abundant raw materials along with a ready labor supply, plenty of power, and convenient transportation facilities served to attract Hooker, as well as other chemical companies, to the Tacoma area. Tank cars and circular holding tanks can be seen amidst the buildings on the sprawling Hooker grounds.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hooker Chemical Company. The main gate of the Hooker Electrochemical Company and its brick buildings as they appeared in August, 1951. Hooker Electrochemical opened their Tacoma plant in 1928. Hooker, along with the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, supplied the Pacific Northwest pulp and paper industry with the means to bleach and refine wood pulp. Hooker products were also used to manufacture soap and refine petroleum products. The Hooker plant on the Tideflats had several expansions before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in 1997.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Smokestack, storage tanks at Hooker Chemical Co., Tacoma, on September 10, 1951. Part of series taken that date concerning Hooker Chemical and conveyor link belt system.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Smokestacks--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

The Hooker Electrochemical float that was in the Armed Forces Parade May 19, 1951, stands outside the company headquarters. Several tanks of chemicals that were essential to the war effort were displayed. Ordered by Hooker Electrochemical Chemical.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;